by Fresh Fiction Senior Reviewer Miranda Owen  “I’ve never been the one. Not for anybody.” He closed the distance between them. “You’ll get used to it.” He tipped her face up to his, kissed her. “Why? Why am I the one?” “Because my life opened up, and it flooded with color when you walked back into it.” –Nora Roberts, VISION IN WHITE Weddings are a common occurrence in romance novels, whether they are contemporary, historical, or paranormal. More often than not, they happen near the end of a story as a happy conclusion. While I adore a happy ending just as much as any romance fan, I find stories more interesting when the wedding takes place near the opening of a story. I prefer to think of a wedding as a point in a discussion rather than the conclusion to an exercise. One of my favorite authors is Mary Balogh. In a Mary Balogh novel, there are joyous endings, but no “happily ever afters.” Happiness is something that is an ongoing process that evolves over time and is something that you must work at. In this article, I discuss weddings in some recent romance novels, along with some of my…

When I sit down to write, usually it’s the hero I love to dream up. What perfect mix of sexy and maddening will this book need? But with Betraying the Billionaire, as much as I love my tasty hero, it’s my heroine I had a soft spot for. Holly has gone through life as an overlooked younger twin trapped in her shell and it’s a feeling I, and hopefully the readers, can relate to. So like Holly who managed to shake up her life, if you find yourself stuck in a routine while the sun shines here are my best tips to give your summer a little boost. 1) Take a road trip Trips take planning, right? Instead of researching the perfect place to stay, why not throw caution to the wind and see where you end up. All across the country there are great attractions and camping locations. Beg, borrow, or steal a sleeping back and a tent, grab your best friend (or partner), jump in a car, and see what you can discover. Some of the best trips are spontaneous ones! 2) Channel MasterChef and dial that romance up Who doesn’t love a home cooked meal? It’s a…